OWNERS of a popular Sutton bakery are celebrating after a Government inspector sanctioned their caf plan.

Local planning officers had ticked off Trevor and Helen Hepworth for installing seating in their newly refurbished Holme Lane Bakery.

Their subsequent planning application for a caf was rejected but that decision has been overturned on appeal.

This is the second time the bakery has won a planning appeal.

Extension plans were given the green light by inspectors two years ago after being thrown out by Craven planners.

"We wish to express our thanks to all those who gave their support and signed petitions to bring about this result," said Helen.

"If we had not received the overwhelming support from Sutton residents we may well have thrown in the towel when our application was refused.

"But our belief in having a caf in the village spurred us on to appeal against the decision and win it."

Helen added that she and her husband were concerned that planning representatives were "out of touch".

"It's a pity that on two occasions it has been necessary for us to have to resort to seeking the intervention of the Planning Inspectorate for them to decide what is best for our local community," she said.

Conditions attached to the planning permission say it will be withdrawn if the couple sell the premises to someone else.

Chris Suri, Sutton Parish Council's planning chairman, said he was surprised at the appeal's result.

"The concerns that both the parish and district council had were over safety and we still have those concerns today," he said.

"But our objections were purely on planning grounds and certainly not vindictive."